Evaluation of Pattern of Lesions Depicted on Brain Computed Tomography Scan of Patients Presenting with Stroke in Zaria, Nigeria.

Introduction: Stroke is a major public health problem worldwide and it is the third leading cause of death in industrialized countries and ranks among the five most common causes of hospital deaths in adults in Africa. Accurate stroke diagnosis has a high significance for patient's outcome. Computed tomography (CT) brain scan is the imaging of choice for patients presenting to the emergency department with stroke. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed at evaluating the pattern of lesion depicted on CT brain of patients presenting with stroke in ABUTH, Zaria. Materials and Methods: A prospective review of CT findings in 155 patients who presented in the Radiology Department of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) with clinical diagnosis of stroke was undertaken over a period of six months (from October 2017 to April 2018).. Results: Of the 155 patients seen within the period under review, 88 (56.8%) were males while 67 (43.2%) were females. Age range was 11-90 years (mean 56, standard deviation (SD) 16, 44(28.4%) of patients were in the age group of 61-70 years. Ninety six patients (61.9%) had ischaemic stroke, 27(17.4%) had hemorrhagic stroke, eight (5.2%) was stroke mimic, six patients (3.9%) mixed lesions (ie both ischaemic and haemorrhagic). Eighteen patients (11.6%) had normal brain CT findings. The region most affected by stroke was the parietal region 52(38%). Conclusion: Ischaemic stroke is the most common form of stroke in this study.

Comparative Accuracy and Complications of Palpation-Guided Versus Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Palpable Breast Lumps in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Background: Breast lumps are a common complaint by women. Palpable breast lumps are accessible to core needle biopsy (CNB) with the aim of obtaining tissue for histologic diagnosis. CNB is achievable either by palpation guidance or image guidance. The superiority of either technique in returning an accurate diagnosis has not been demonstrated in our centre. Aim: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy and complications of palpation-guided versus ultrasound-guided CNB techniques in palpable breast lumps. Materials and Methods: This was a randomised, controlled, comparative study. Consenting patients were randomised into either a palpation-guided or an ultrasound-guided group. All patients subsequently had open surgical biopsy, which represented the control group. Data analysis was done using SPSS, version 21. Results: Each CNB group had 40 patients. In the palpation-guided group, 24 (54.55%) lumps were benign and 13 (29.55%) were malignant, whilst seven (15.90%) were inconclusive. In the ultrasound-guided group, 31 (65.96%) lumps were benign and 15 (31.91%) were malignant, whilst one (2.13%) was inconclusive. The sensitivity and specificity for palpation-guided CNB were 92.9% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for ultrasound-guided CNB were 100% each. There was no statistically significant difference in sensitivity between the two groups (P value of 0.4828). One patient (2.5%) in the ultrasound-guided CNB group had a hematoma. Conclusions: This study has shown that CNB has high diagnostic accuracy and low complications in the management of breast lumps, either by palpation-guided or ultrasound-guided techniques. There was no significant difference in accuracy or complications of CNB using either technique.

The Correlation of Sonographic and Histopathologic Findings in the Diagnosis of Palpable Breast Masses in Zaria.

Introduction: Presently, histology is the gold standard in definite diagnosis of breast masses. Ultrasound is a relatively cheap, non-invasive, and non-ionizing imaging modality which is widely available in most hospitals. An assessment of its accuracy in diagnosing breast masses is necessary to minimize unwarranted biopsies. Aim and Objectives: This study aims to correlate the ultrasonographic and histopathologic findings in the diagnosis of patients with palpable breast masses. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study, which involved 100 consecutive patients who presented with palpable breast masses in Zaria. This was carried out for a period of 7 months (November 2016-June 2017). They had a clinical breast examination to identify the mass, which was then imaged and biopsied via ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology. Results: The generated data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). There were more benign masses (63%) than malignant masses (29%). On correlating the final diagnosis of ultrasound to that of histology, it was found to have a sensitivity of 89%; specificity of 94%; positive predictive value of 89%; negative predictive value of 94%; and accuracy of 92%. Conclusion: This study shows that there was a correlation between ultrasound and histology findings in differentiating between benign and malignant masses. This proves that ultrasound has a significant role to play in evaluating and diagnosing clinically palpable breast masses.

Giant Ovarian Endometrioma: A Case Report.

Ovarian endometrioma is quite common among women of reproductive age but rarely exceed 6 cm in diameter. Ovarian endometrioma exceeding 10 cm in dimension, often referred to as giant endometrioma, is rare and can pose a diagnostic dilemma to clinicians. We present a 33-year-old single nullipara referred to our facility with a 3-year history of recurrent abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, and difficulty in breathing. The challenges in making diagnosis of a huge ovarian endometrioma are highlighted and the literature on huge ovarian endometrioma reviewed.

The Benefits of a Guideline on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications: An Illustrative Case Report of a Hydranencephaly.

After years of the worsening burden of unsafe abortion and attendant morbidities and mortalities in Nigeria, a National Guideline on the Safe termination of pregnancy for legal indications was enunciated. This report presents and discusses an illustrative case of a hydranencephaly that benefited from it. A 43-year old multipara was informed during routine ultrasonography at booking for antenatal care, at 16 weeks of gestation, of a major defect in her baby and advised to meet her physician. Following a repeat high- resolution ultrasonography and discussions between the Obstetricians, Neurosurgeon, and Ultrasonologist, the woman was counseled on the diagnosis. At her insistence and provision of written consent, medical abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol was successfully instituted.